Record turn out

182 of the 184 entries on the final list started the 43rd Cruising Club of America and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Newport Bermuda Race. The previous entry record of 178 boats set in both 1972 and 1982 has been broken. The two boats that did not start were Canadian entry
True North and
Gitna from Tulsa, OK.

In addition to these DNS yachts, two boats have withdrawn in the early going.
Kiva, a double-handed entry from New Hampshire, withdrew because of mechanical problems and is returning to Newport.
Talisman from Sag Harbor, NY experienced rudder failure and is returning to her home port.

The start went off without incident in 15-18 knot easterly wind under cloudy skies. The boats were reaching off at about 50 degrees apparent wind. The press boats snapping photos had trouble keeping pace with maxis
Morning Glory,
Boomerang and
Pyewacket who were easily doing 14knots in the choppy waters.

The race communications vessel
Geronimo reported 25knots easterly winds at about 6:45 EDT on Friday evening. This is expected to build during the night and shift to northeast by morning. Velocity should continue at around 20knots or higher. With these conditions, race routing forecasters are predicting the first boats may finish within 50-52 hours. This would take a big chunk off the record set by
Boomerang in 1996 at 57hr:31min:50sec.